The link between stress and mood disorders is well established. Anecdotally, most people can relate low mood to a period of stress. However, what is less well understood is the role that a low quality diet can have in the development of mood disorders. In this regard, poor dietary habits have been shown to be a significant contributory factor in the development of both depression and anxiety. One dietary factor that may be particularly detrimental to mental health is sugar. High intakes of sugar in the diet have for example been shown to lead to neurotransmitter imbalance and detrimental mood changes. In one study, rats were fed a high sugar diet, and then the animals were exposed to experimental stress in the form of food deprivation. The rats that were used to high sugar diets showed significantly more evidence of anxious behaviour compared to rats that were not fed high sugar diets. Therefore high sugar diets may significantly increase the risk of mood disorders, and care should be taken to limit sugar intake.
Eat Well, Stay Healthy, protect Yourself
RdB
